Wagon-body.



w. LEPPERT.

' WAGON BODY.

APPLICATION IILB D'DBO. 27. 1902. I

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PATBNTBD JULY 21, 1903.

Patented uly 21, 1962.

PATENT ()FFICE.

WILLIAM LEPPERT, OF TIPPECANQE CITY, OHIO.

WAGON-BODY.

SPEGIFICATIONffor-ming part of Letters Pats, no. 7s4,42 2, aated n11 21, 1903;

Application filed December 27, 1902. Serial No. 136,860. (No model.)

To whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LEPPERT, a citi-' zen of the United States, residing at Tippecanoe City, in the county of Miami and State of Ohio,have invented-certainnew and useful Improvements in 'Wagon-Bodies and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in wagon-bodies particularly adapted for market-wagons, ambulances, or other vehicles in which it is desirable to provide a shelter in rear of the wagon, and it is especially designed as an improvement upon my former patent, dated December 31, 1901, and numbered 690,306.

Before the date of my invention devices were known in which an awning was adapted to be manually proj eoted in rear of the wagon I or'the wagon-body itself extended by a telescopic section; but in none of these inventions is there an extensible supplemental top.

My invention broadly consists of a supplemental slidably-mounted top in connection with the fixed roof of the wagon-body and adapted to be adjusted from a point conveniently situated with relation to the operator.

It further consists of means for easily and readily adjusting and supporting awnings pivoted to the sliding top and combining our tains with said sliding top and awnings for further sheltering or protecting the space in rear of the wagon.

Another feature of the invention is means for preventing water from running down heneath the supplemental top and dropping off the rearof the immovable roof when the wagon-body is inclined or tilted manually.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved wagon-body with the parts compacted, as when not in use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the supplemental top extended, theawnings as adjusted, and the curtains lowered, as when in use. Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the parts in position as in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an under plan view with wagon-body broken away. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 6 is a cross-section,

and Fig. 7 is a detail view showing particularly the means for locking the sliding roof upon the body.

' In carrying outmy invention a-wagombod y is preferably provided with theusual' top 1, sides 2, tail board or gate 3,-and doors 4. The front of the wagon-body is preferably provided with a window 5, adaptedto close the space above the dashboard 6. Said window is adapted to be lowered into a pocket 7, at the mouth'of which is pivOt'ed a' sill 8 for closing the opening and supporting the window when it is raised. Upon the top 1- is superposed a sliding top 9, adapted to be extended or projected in rear of the wagonbody and supported thereby. This supplemental or sliding top is preferably guided upon the fixed or immovable top by lateral depending flanges 10, which embrace the sides of the wagon-body and are each provided with a rib 11, entering and sliding in a corresponding groove '11 in the sides of the wagon-body, arranged near to and parallel with the fixed or immovable top. It is'obvious that other means for holding or guiding the supplemental top may be substituted for those shown and described. The rear ends of the lateral flanges 10 are preferably connected'by a cross-flange 12, adapted to abut against the rear of the wagon-body to limit the inward movement of the supplemental top; To look said supplemental top against movement when it is not extended, the crossflange is preferably provided with an opening or slot 13, through which may project a staple 14, secured to the wagon-body, which is adapted to be caught by a hasp 15.

In the fixed or immovable top beneath the supplemental top is arranged at a suitable position a gutter or channel 16 to catch water and dispense it at the sides, which may be driven in under the supplemental top or flow between the immovable top and the supplemental top when the wagon-body is tilted or inclined rearwardly, and thereby prevent said water from dripping over the rear'of the wagon beneath the extendedtop. 7

For readily operating the extensible sil y plemental top two ropes or cables 17 or other means are provided, one of which is connected to the forward end of the supplemental top and the other to the rear end thereof. 2

These ropes or cables are preferably brought over pulleys 18, arranged in the immovable top and have the ends suspended in the wagon conveniently within the reach of the operator. It is obvious that pulling one rope will extend the supplemental top and that the said top may be returned to its normal position by pulling the other rope or cable.

Pivoted to the supplemental top are awnings 1!), which when raised will shelter a greater area in rear of the wagon. Levers or cranks 20 are attached to these awnings for operating the same and are so disposed that the pivot for the awnings will act as the fulcrum for these levers. To these levers are preferably pivoted braces 21, which are adjustably connected to the supplemental top. Each of these braces preferably comprises a slotted plate through which passes a threaded pin 21, secured to the supplemental top and having at the outer end a thumb-nut 21 applied thereto. To additionallysupport said awnings, particularly when an increased force is exerted thereon by storm, wind, &c., I provide a second brace 22, which preferably consists of a rod 22, pivoted to the supplemental top and having its free end detachably or adjustably secured to the awning near its free edge, preferably by a clamp 22, consisting of a post provided with an opening to secure the rod, which is adapted to be clamped therein by a thumb-screw 22 As a further protection to the operator and his merchandise, &c., curtains 3 may be suspended from the awnings. These curtains are preferably secured to the rear of the wagonbody at the sides and are suspended from the awnings, so that they provide a closure beneath the free and forward edges of the awnings, the latter of which is preferably near a point in line with the rear of the wagon-body when the supplemental top is extended. The curtains are preferably secured to the awnings on the under side thereof, so that the latter will extend over the former, and thereby form a thatched joint to exclude the rain, (K711, from the inclosure.

Street venders who employ a wagon for carrying their goods or merchandise usually display their articles upon boxes and barrels placed in the rear of the wagon. In this position the merchandise, as well as the vender, is unprotected from the wind, rain, or snow, &c. My device is particularly advantageous for venders of this character, as it provides a complete shelter in rear of the wagon and neither the rain, wind, nor snow, &c., will interfere with the display of the merchandise or goods or the convenience of the vender. The construction by which I attain this protection is provided with means for operating the same arranged within the convenient reach of the operator, which will permit the different parts to be adjusted according to the circumstances with ease and facility without the operator leaving his position in rear of the wagon and beneath the extended top.

It is obvious that my construction is particularly advantageous for use in ambulances and othervehicles where it is desirous to have shelter in rear of the wagon.

I am aware that changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, and I therefore reserve the right to make such modifications as fairly'fall within the scope of my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body, a sliding supplemental top, and means for actuating and connected to said supplemental top, and engagin g bearings intermediately of the ends of said. body and adapted to be conveniently grasped by the operator.

2. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body, an extensible supplemental top and means for adjusting the latter comprising ropes or cables, one having connection with the forward end of said supplemental top and the other with the rear end thereof, said cords passing over bearings in said wagon-body and having their free ends arranged within the convenient reach of the operator.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a body, an extensible supplemental top, awnings pivoted to the latter, operating levers or cranks having the pivots of said awnings to act as their fulcrums, and braces connected to said levers or cranks and adjustably secured to said supplemental top.

4. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body provided with means for catching and suitably conducting away water which may flow toward the rear of the body, and an extensible supplemental top.

5. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body provided in its roof with a gutter or channel having outlets at suitable points with an extensible supplemental top.

6. In a vehicle of the character described,

the combination of a body, an extensible sup-- plemental top therefor, awnings pivoted to said supplemental top, means for adjusting said awnings and said supplemental top arranged within the convenient reach of the operator.

7. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body, a pivoted lateral awning, an operating-lever having its rod or axial portion connected to said awning, at its inner edge, and provided with a crank, and an arm orbrace slidingly connected to said body, said arm adapted to limit the movement of said awning.

S. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body, a pivoted lateral awning, an operating-lever, having its rod portion connected to said awning, at its inner edge, an arm or brace slidingly connected to said body,said lever having a crank connected to said arm.

9. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body, a pivoted lateral awning, an operating-lever having its rod portion secured to said awning, at its inner edge,and an arm slidingly and adj ustably connected to said body, said lever having a crank connected to said arm.

10. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a body, a pivoted lateral awning, an operating-lever having its rod portion secured to said awning, at its inner 

